Police in Timmins say two separate homicides occurred roughly 24 hours apart, with investigators describing both as targeted acts involving people known to one another and connected to the drug trade. According to local police, officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Rea Street South and Belanger Avenue shortly after midnight on Aug. 1. “Upon arrival, officers located three male victims suffering from gunshot wounds,” the Timmins Police Service said in a news release Saturday. Police said officers secured the scene and provided emergency first aid alongside paramedics. One man was transported to hospital with no vital signs and later pronounced dead. The two other victims were also transported to hospital, with one man remaining in critical condition while the other suffered a non-life-threatening injury. Ongoing investigation The service advised that its criminal investigations division has taken the lead on the case. The area has been secured as investigators continue their work. Police have not released any suspect descriptions, the identities of the victims or details about what may have led to the shootings. “The area remains under police control and the public is being asked to stay clear of the area until further notice,” said police. “Additional information will be released as it becomes available and when it is appropriate to do so without compromising the investigation.” Investigators said that so far there is no indication that the incident is connected to a separate homicide reported just about 24 hours earlier. Investigators say the two incidents are not linked in any way and involve completely different people and circumstances. “These crimes are not random acts of violence, but rather isolated conflict between people known to one another,” said police in a joint release Saturday evening. According to police, both incidents involve illegal firearms and have elements linked to the drug culture. “It is understandable that two incidents of this nature are concerning to the public with two homicides occurring in such a short period of time,” the service said. Previous shooting On July 31, shortly after 1 a.m., officers responded to gunfire in the area of Balsam Street North near Fifth Avenue. “Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from significant injuries,” police said in a previous news release. A firearm was seized at the scene, and that victim was also transported to hospital in vital signs absent condition and later pronounced dead. The investigation determined that the victim was shot by another individual known to him. Officers secured the area and processed two residences and the surrounding outdoor areas for evidence. “Despite extensive efforts, the suspect has not yet been located,” police said in an afternoon update on July 31. Arrests made, no public threat Police said two people have been arrested in connection with the investigations, though further details are not being released as the cases remain in their initial stages. “There is no immediate threat to the public at large, but police have not yet arrested all the individuals involved,” the service said. No suspect descriptions have been released for either case. Authorities have seized some firearms, and police noted that the presence of weapons and the propensity for violence by those involved are understandably concerning to residents. Continuing work Numerous resources have been assigned to both investigations, including the Forensic Identification Section and support from various Ontario Provincial Police teams. There has been a strong police presence in the affected areas over the past several days, which police said will continue as the investigations move forward. “Investigators have been working around the clock since the first homicide and will be continuing to work throughout the weekend,” police said. The Timmins Police Service said additional information will be released as it becomes available and when it is appropriate to do so without compromising the investigations. “More details will be provided on the status of any arrests and charges as these investigations continue to unfold,” said police. Anyone with information about either case is asked to call Timmins police at 705-264-1201 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously using incident number TI26018051 for the July 31 case and incident number TI26018145 for the Aug. 1 case.
